Effectiveness of Core Stabilization Exercises and Physiotherapy Health Education on Pain, Functional Disability, and Quality of Life in Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy-related low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition affecting more than half of pregnant women. Symptoms typically worsen during the second and third trimesters, resulting in significant functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Because pharmacological options are limited during pregnancy, safe conservative interventions to relieve pain and support maternal wellbeing are increasingly emphasized. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of core stabilization exercises combined with physiotherapy health education on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in women with pregnancy-related low back pain. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 36 primigravid women with low back pain, allocated to an experimental group (n = 18) that received core stabilization exercises with physiotherapy health education, or a control group (n = 18) that received routine antenatal physiotherapy care, for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS). Secondary outcomes were functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significantly greater reduction in pain (VAS, p < 0.001) and disability (ODI, p < 0.001) in the experimental group than in the control group. Quality of life improved significantly across all domains in the experimental group - physical (p < 0.001), psychological (p < 0.001), social (p = 0.008), environmental (p < 0.001), and general (p < 0.001) - with significant between-group effects (p < 0.05) for all domains. Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises combined with physiotherapy health education were more effective than routine antenatal care in reducing pain and disability and in improving quality of life among primigravid women with low back pain, supporting their use as a non-pharmacological adjunct to antenatal care.